who should be Islam's first WW defense? (poll)
- Thread starter Dionysian
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Well yes I do count him fighting as a fight.
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That winner (20-0, fresh off victory over a top 5 guy who was 19-0) would crown the most compelling contender ever for sure. A bit overkill IMHO... but undoubtedly strongest contender by 100 miles. Probably ever in WW history.
And do you have a source for "probably last fight" talk? Or do you just not like Islam and it is general negativity?
vs Garry at that
But it is rare that a contender sits out injured for more than a year and has his spot reserved. Especially rare when the division is beyond stacked like it currently is, with guys like 19-0 Morales fresh off a highlight reel KO over a top ranked opponent
Not that I'd be upset if Shavkat got it. But these are extreme circumstances
Stop counting fights as fights. That hurts the narrative.
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Back in training now according to his manager. Says will be ready to fight early 2026. Would be surprised if they gave it to him considering the momentum Morales has currently (recency bias + his record + his highlight reel finish) but we'll see
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Good. But I don't think Shavkat should be jumping right into the title fight after such a long layoff. Maybe he needs a tune up fight first.
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Was kind of surprised with my post-Garry bump. Shavkat was at 20% and Morales comfortably at #1 a bit above 30% prior to the Belal fight. Now they're pretty much even in votes.
I am guessing it is a reaction to Shavkat's last win being over Garry and Garry being closer than ever to a title shot now. So maybe a weird transference of recency bias playing out for Shavkat (via Garry's win) despite Shavkat being on the sidelines.
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Not negativity. It’s just that Islam is almost 35 and his next fight will be no 30. It gets pretty risky after that for a lw/ww. If he fights and defeats Usman he would be beating one of the greatests welters ever and could retire on top. Shavkat/Morales are 2 young savages. They are younger and with less mileage. Too risky. But hey…. respek to Islam if he goes that route.
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Shit you're right. I for some reason thought he was 32 or 33 still. Sucks. We likely are coming up on the end.
Don't know if you've seen it yet but there's a recent interview (after the Garry win) of Islam (I think in Dagestan). In it he says he is down for Morales, down for Garry, and made a mention that he thinks Shavkat should fight again to avoid a title shot off of inactivity... but would be down if the UFC wanted it too. So overall things are looking pretty decent so far.
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Both Garry and Prates are on two fight win streaks, Prates lost to Garry, Garry lost to Shavkat. Usman has one win in his last four fights, he's a crazy person. Topuria should defend his belt against someone who already fights at 155.
It should really come down to Shavkat or Morales, and I guess it is dependent on whether or not you excuse Shavkat's time out.
Any of them are interesting fights, so, whatever.
It should really come down to Shavkat or Morales, and I guess it is dependent on whether or not you excuse Shavkat's time out.
Any of them are interesting fights, so, whatever.
